1. an extinct primate that is believed to be an ancestor of humans but is not classified as a member of the genus Homo
Usage: technical; paleoanthropology

1. relating to or characteristic of primates that preceded the genus Homo in human evolutionary history
Usage: technical; paleoanthropology

Examples

• Australopithecus is often cited as a prehominid species in the human evolutionary lineage.
• Prehominid fossils have provided crucial evidence for understanding early human development.
• Scientists debate whether certain prehominid species used tools.
• The prehominid period spans millions of years before the emergence of Homo sapiens.
• Prehominid characteristics include bipedalism and increasing brain size.
• Researchers discovered prehominid remains in the Great Rift Valley of Africa.